I've received so many nos in my life.

No, thank you; we are all set for this calendar year.

Thank you kindly for your inquiry, but we source all our photography in-house.

We are not looking for any partnerships, but we wish you all the best.

Unfortunately, she can not take on another proposal this year. She wishes you the best of luck with your book.

Do any of these sound familiar? And those are just a few to name. I have an inbox full of rejections, passes, dismissals, and plain old no reply. When I first began building my business and portfolio, I took it to heart. Was there something I said? Am I not good enough? Is later a better time to ask? Maybe I shouldn't have sent it? I mulled over all these questions upon receiving rejection after rejection. Was it really me? For my book proposal alone, I sent out at least one hundred emails to potential agents only to receive just one (!) reply with a yes. And that one yes was all I needed.

The truth is, no matter how much we ruminate or second guess ourselves, it's hardly ever about us and usually about them. Maybe it's not the right time. Maybe they truly are full and not in need of your services. Maybe they don't feel like you align with their style. Maybe they just overlooked your email. Maybe they truly don’t need additional photography services.

The one truth I've come to accept and realize is that a "no" doesn't mean a no. It means a yes. A yes to something better, something more rewarding, a different path, a more fruitful opportunity.

A no doesn't mean no. It means a yes to a redirection—a redirection to what is meant for you. Even if you receive a no, it's still a positive thing! Why? Because it's redirecting you to a different opportunity that is meant for you. I truly stand by the phrase that if it's meant to be, it will be, be it a relationship, a business venture, a partnership, or a new client. What is meant for you will find you. You have to trust in that. When you receive a rejection, think of it as the universe or a higher power gently redirecting you down a different path with its arm on your back gently nudging you, "Here, this is where you are meant to go, this way…this is meant for you." When we accept that belief, we accept the reality and embrace that something better is on its way for us. We can trust that this rejection is only pivoting us to what is meant for us…for our growth.

It's a wonderful and freeing feeling to surrender our control, throw up our hands in the air and trust in the process. Does that mean you stop sending out pitches and emails? No, definitely not! Even after receiving hundreds of nos and rejections from the same client multiple times, I kept emailing. I was persistent and consistent. What matters most when we do receive unfortunate news or a polite decline is how fast we can bounce back to our resilient highest self. How fast we can get back on the horse, in the saddle, and keep carrying on in our journey with all the dead ends, side trails, and obstacles that will undoubtedly come.

I know this one truth for certain, and the more time passes, the more I understand and appreciate the "rerouting" when it happens. What is meant for you will find you, work with you, and be with you. So you see, a "no" really does mean a "yes" in the big picture—a "yes" to what is ultimately for you.

For further encouragement, I'd love to support you on your journey. My mentorship program is a special program in which we can work together intimately on sticky issues like this.

Wherever you are on your journey, keep riding towards that beautiful, abundant future that is yours.

Alanna